The personal care industry—spanning skincare, haircare, and hygiene products—is marketed as a pillar of self-care and well-being. But the glossy advertisements and luxurious formulas mask the environmental crisis fueled by unsustainable ingredient sourcing and excessive plastic packaging in the industry.
The beauty industry heavily relies on natural resources like palm oil and soy, leading to significant sustainability challenges due to non regenerative resource extraction and consumption.[1]
Products also often contain chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and phenols, which can harm both human health and the environment.[2]
The personal care industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging annually, with most not being truly recyclable, contributing significantly to global plastic pollution.[3]Plastic waste from single-use packaging floods landfills and oceans, taking centuries to decompose while releasing harmful microplastics into the environment.[4], clogging drains, choking marine life along coasts of countries like Ghana, and worsening urban flooding in the global south.
Without intervention, the environmental toll of the unsustainability in the personal care industry will only escalate, deepening Ghana's waste management crisis and ecological degradation.
Over the past decade, the cosmetic import market in Ghana has averaged an estimated import volume of 33 mega tonnes. The import market experienced a substantial increase in 2020, with volumes going over 40 mega tonnes; the highest recorded in the past decade.
Local brands are slowly gaining prominence by leveraging the country’s native supply of shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and other traditional African ingredients to create unique products that cater to the beauty needs of the Ghanaian population and beyond. However, non Ghanaian brands still hold the largest market share.[5]
A growing number of brands rising in Ghana are stepping up to optimize the sustainability of their sourcing and packaging. From standard certified raw materials to refillable containers and synthetic-ingredient-free products, these businesses are paving the way for green consideration in the personal care industry —one product at a time.
TAMA COSMETICS by SEKOF GHANA LTD
TAMA Cosmetics, a brand under SeKaf Ghana Ltd., offers a range of natural hair and skincare products made from ECOCERT and USDA National Organic Program certified organic shea butter ethically sourced from & fully traceable to sources in Northern Ghana.
Established in 2003, SeKaf Ghana Ltd. evolved into a social enterprise in 2006, focusing on improving the economic standards of living of rural women involved in shea nut collection and processing.
The company launched the SeKaf Shea Butter Village in Kasalgu in August 2008 near Tamale, providing a controlled environment where local women collaborate to produce premium unrefined shea butter.
TAMA products are scented with natural essential oils, free from synthetic ingredients, and contain no petroleum-derived or animal-derived components.
Check out the Tama Cosmetics Catalog: Tama Bath, Tama Body, Tama Hairand raw unrefined Shea butter on their website as well as where you can get your Tama Cosmetics from local outlets near you if you're in Ghana or outside Ghana.
Indulge in the art of personalized fragrance with TapParfum Ghana. The extensive range of over 100 high-quality scents on their website , each enriched with up to 40% fragrance oil, offers a long-lasting and luxurious experience tailored to your unique taste.
Embrace sustainability without compromising on elegance. The innovative refill program by TapParfum allows you to enjoy your favourite fragrances in beautifully designed, refillable bottles, reducing waste and supporting eco-friendly practices.
How the Refill System Works:
•Begin by selecting your preferred fragrance housed in a sleek, refillable bottle designed for repeated use.
•Apply your fragrance as desired, knowing that your bottle is built for longevity and style.
•Once your perfume runs low, simply visit the TapParfum Ghana website and navigate to the "Request Refill" section. Follow the instructions to have your bottle refilled with your chosen scent, reducing waste and promoting sustainability
Visit the TapParfum Ghana website to explore their collection and discover how easy it is to maintain your signature aroma cost effectively while caring for the planet
GMITH
G-mith (Gmith) is a Ghana-based brand specializing in effective natural deodorants, with its own production facilities in West Africa. As a licensed cosmetics manufacturing company, G-mith is committed to providing superior quality personal care products that cater to a niche market, specifically targeting consumers with a strong interest in natural and organic solutions.
In 2018, the founder, Miss Gladys A. Boateng created a natural deodorant that combined high effectiveness with natural ingredients. After undergoing official testing by the Standard Authority, the products received FDA approval in 2020. Since then, the company has achieved significant milestones, including scaling up production and expanding its product line to include three additional scents alongside the original lime fragrance.
The GMith Alpha Deodorant base formula is inspired by the native method of using lime and wood ash directly on the armpit to combat body odour, a practice widely trusted in many households across Africa for its effectiveness. To save you time, they've simplified this approach with Gmith Alpha Natural Deodorant and its natural fragrance variations
Check out GMith Enterprise on their website and place your orders
If you'd like to become a supplier or retailer of this made-in-Ghana brand, click HERE to engage GMith.
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Moringa Core is the blog subsidiary of Fofolɛfo on a mission to spotlight sustainability initiatives, small-scale businesses, solopreneurs and independent artisans with sustainable and eco friendly operations and practices.
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Connecting our audience with initiatives AND products & services from small scale businesses & brands, solopreneurs and independent artisans that offer sustainable and eco friendly value.
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